When I was a child (1980-83) I spend all my allowance and lawn cutting money at an arcade in a cottage community called 'Balm Beach'. The arcade is still there albeit not nearly as awesome....(it is called the Geogian Grill). just wondering if anyone else recalls this spot, and may have any old pictures of the arcade itself....
Hindsight is always 20/20..... so when I try to recall how wonderful and exciting this place was (knowing that I was 10-12 years old and in the peak of the arcade revolution...) it is difficult to envision. (I wish I took pictures.... Is what I meant)
If anyone has any stories, or pictures, I'd love to see them..... Just to recall the wonders of my childhood.
I'm not sure 'hindsight is 20/20' means what you think it does, but I think you got your point across
Have
Want
-The Getaway: High Speed II!! -Spider-Man -F-14 Tomcat -Guns N' Roses -Lord of the Rings -Twilight Zone
-Medieval Madness! -Indiana Jones (Williams) -Star Trek: The Next Generation -Champion Pub -Terminator 3 -Congo -Johnny Mnemonic -Tales of the Arabian Nights
I played there in the 70s (I grew up in the area). I took my kids there in the last few years when up that way too. The pins weren't as good but it's still a neat place to play skeeball, get ice cream, etc.
My grandparents live in Victoria Harbor, I used to go to Balm Beach all the time.
Is the "Castle" thing still there on the road leading in from Midland on Balm Beach road? What about the mini golf and go-kart place right as you come in?
I'm thinking of going to school in Midland (Second Career thing) to be a Marine Mechanic, I'd love to live up there near the beach.......the further away from the big city the better!
Is the "Castle" thing still there on the road leading in from Midland on Balm Beach road? What about the mini golf and go-kart place right as you come in?
I believe the Castle is there plus the "Windmill" place (my friends parents use to operate it). I haven't been up since 2007 though and things always change. Note the large kerfuffle over the fence built that blocks access to the beach (this is just a stone's throw from the arcade).
I'm not aware of any other arcades in Midland - does anybody know of some?
In the mid 60s I remember a small one on the main st of Midland. I recall going in and yanking on the control stick of an arcade game and having it bust off in my hand. I ran out before the manager saw what happened. My very first arcade experience ...
The Olympic billiard hall (now gone) had a small room that held about 6 pins. I played there in the 70s. A mall arcade opened up in the plaza across from where Zellers is but that shut down in the late 70s or early 80s. They had probably 15-20 pins in there.
Yes the castle is still there and has expanded to become a Tourist Niagara Falls type of attraction.... and the Go-Karts are there as well... they have the two seaters.... so my son and I had a blast last year!.
I haven't been there in probably.......10 years now. I went up on my bike last summer to visit my grandmother, but never left Victoria Harbour. I wanted to buy a sword at that Castle place for my collection, dude wouldn't let me because I wasn't 21 (I was 19)......wasn't aware this was the US and there's no permit needed for something like this (I have yet to see any sort of law here where an age limit is 21).
I was there last year. They did have Shuttle Mission, Bad Cats(yuck),Jurassic park,and Starwars(data east). But, then they got rid of them and later brought in Bally's Game Show with kid's legs.
Ahhh..First decent weekend weather. I checked in at the 'grill' and they still had the Bally's Game Show (with kid's legs), and they have added a decent Soprono's pinball. Good powerful flippers, all switches working including the safe. The playfield could use some cleaning and the right slingshot is super sensitive. It's set on a slightly more difficult level than the default but still an O.K. game {Yes, I know Soprano's isn't one of the better Stern titles}
As for vids; they do have about 20 including Galaxian, Galaga (although the monitors are a little sunbleached), 19XX, and a somewhat rare Operation Wolf 3.
The games are owned and operated by Superior Amusements.
32C and not a cloud in the sky. A suprisingly good sized beach crowd for a Wednesday in early May. ( I wish I had brought my camera because you would not believe the boooooooobs on this "way too young for me" brunette walking along the shoreline. Every guys head turned and some got smacked by their wives/girlfriends for gawking) back to subject.
The grill was open and the games on the right wall had not changed, but the rest of the arcade has a good mix of new redemption games and vids and a brand spanking new IRONMAN. Why is this game way out here I do not know. Perfect condition, perfect slope + level, textbook tilt sensitivity, but best of all...IT IS FREAKIN' LOUD!!!! The volume was cranked up so when you play, everyone comes over to see what's going on. The exits are set wide open(which I understand is Stern's new factory default setting for all new games. I approve of this)
I made 82 mil. on my fifth game, so the bar is set. I am hopeful that game maintainence is improved this year compared to previous years. Last year's Sopranos was good at first ,but by summers end it was pitch black with dirt.
I had a friend who was renting a cottage up there about 3 minute walk to that arcade. That was 5-7 years ago? My kids liked it but htey were very young. My son is now 8 and at the Toronto Pinball Show he played a few pins and vids but mostly the Skeeball!
Currently have: Twilight Zone
Hoping to Add: Addams Family Indiana Jones Cocktail (48 or 60 in one)
Own Magic, Star Gazer, Batman Forever, STTNG, Mystery Castle (project)
Gone Fairy, Secret Service, Meteor x3, Title Fight, Eight Ball Deluxe, Bone Busters Inc., Seawitch, Starship Troopers, Strange Science, Arena, Hook, Pin*Bot x2, Time Warp, Motordome, Robocop, Black hole, Jurassic Park , Wipe-Out, Pinball Pro: Challenger I, Swords of Fury, Stargate, Party Zone
I was up in Midland today and though it was out of my way I drove down for a quick check of the games. I played 3 games of IM paid for one got a replay an matched for the 3rd. The still have the Game Show with the kids legs and a Family Guy. I was thinking they had a SM but it was the IM. Havent played IM other than at the T.O. Pinball show and liked it more this time.
Currently have: Twilight Zone
Hoping to Add: Addams Family Indiana Jones Cocktail (48 or 60 in one)
My son is now 8 and at the Toronto Pinball Show he played a few pins and vids but mostly the Skeeball!
I missed this post the first time around....oh that was YOUR son.....my foot still hurts from someone's darling flinging a ball all the way across the hall and rolling into my booth!
(I had to stop myself from buying that damn thing....I've been dreaming about a Skee Ball for the past 4 years. But whose got the room?!)
TGlover
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websherpa
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, Wipe-Out, Pinball Pro: Challenger I, Swords of Fury, Stargate, Party Zone
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